Resilient connector



y 1, 1952 F. o. REICHARDT 2,601,709

RESILIENT CONNECTOR Filed May 16, 1950 INVENTOR EU.Rei/ zard i BY M M ATTORNEY$ Patented July 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RESILIENT CONNECTOR Frederick 0. Reichardt, Columbus, Ohio Application May 16, 1950, Serial No. 162,265

1 Claim. 1

An object of this invention is to provide a resilient connector or clasp which may be formed out of a single strand of resilient wire and may be connected between a fish line and a lure or leader.

Another object of this invention is to provide a resilient connector of this kind adapted for interposing in a line and including means whereby the connector will firmly and resiliently hold the article connected to the line against release.

Another object of this invention is to provide a resilient connector of this kind which is simple in construction and provide maximum locking means for the article with which the device is associated.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawing and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a connector constructed according to an embodiment of this invention showing the device in latched or locked position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but showing the device in released position.

Figure 3 is a detailed side elevation of the device in latched position.

Figure 4. is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates an elongated resilient wire or bar which is formed at the opposite ends thereof with a pair of resilient rings I I and I2. A U- shaped member I3 has one side or leg I4 thereof formed integral with the ring II, and the other side I of the U-shaped member I3 is formed as an elongated latching lever which terminates in a hook-shaped locking member I6. A flexible line I! is adapted to be connected to the bight of the U-shaped member I3.

The latching lever I5 is adapted when in latched position to be swung inwardly with the locking hook I6 engaging through the ring I2. A second U-shaped member I8 extends from the ring I2 oppositely from the U-shaped member I3 having one short side I9 thereof formed integral with the ring I2. The other side 20 of the U-shaped member I8 is substantially longer than the side I9 and constitutes a resilient lever or arm which terminates in a curved locking member 2|. A second line 22 is adapted to be connected to the U-shaped member I8 or, if desired, a fish lure or other article may be connected with the U-shaped member I8. When the locking member 2| is in locked position, this member will be extended through the ring I I and will hook over the adjacent portion of the resilient lever or arm I5. In the same manner when the curved looking member I6 is in locked position, this member will be extended through the ring I2 and will hook over the adjacent portion of the resilient arm or lever 20.

The connector herein disclosed is adapted to be formed out of a single strand of relatively resilient wire, and the articles connected to the device are engaged initially over the levers or arms I5 and 20 so that the articles will engage the bights of the U-shaped members I3 and I B. The locking members I6 and 2I are then pressed inwardly, being extended through the rings I2 and I I, and the locking members I6 and 2| will also engage over the opposite levers 20 and I5 as shown in Figure 1. When a pull strain is applied to line l6 this strain will be taken up by the locking members I6 and 2| and also by the resilient rings II and I2. The locking members I6 and 2i will remain in locked position until a maximum distorting strain is applied. to the connector which would unduly distort the U- shaped members I3 and I8 and the rings II and I2. This connector will provide a quick securing and detaching means for fish lures 'or other articles and will provide an effective means whereby the articles associated therewith will be securely fastened to the line H.

What is claimed is:

A resilient connector comprised of a unitary resilient wire comprising an elongated portion formed with a pair of spaced circular parallel resilient loops extending laterally in the same direction from said portion, said wire being bent in the same direction to U-shape at its ends outwardly of each loop, the reverted ends of the U-shaped portions comprising oppositely extending aligned resilient lever portions extending towards each other substantially parallel. to said elongated portion and each of a length to extend to the loop remote from the bight of its associated U-shaped bend and over the adjacent loop, and an arcuate locking hook extending from the terminal end of each lever portion in a plane perpendicular thereto and having its end in a plane parallel to the plane of said loop, the end of each hook being adapted to engage through the adjacent loop and having its arcuate portion extending about the adjacent part of the opposite lever portion.

FREDERICK 0-. REICHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 128,145 Hill June 18, 1872 1,331,201 Kempton Feb. 17, 1920 1,440,628 Raub Jan. 2, 1923 1,998,035 Wiberg Apr. 16, 1935 2,050,757 Leon Aug. 11, 1936 

